Oil and gas engineering specialist, STATS Group, has appointed Vikas Shangari as business development manager for the Middle East as part of a strategy to expand operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
STATS Group design, manufacture and install a range of patented technologies used in pipeline integrity and isolation. The company believes major opportunities exist to roll out its BISEP™ and Tecno Plug™ range of tools in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf States.
Earlier this year STATS completed a successful isolation and maintenance project in Qatar on behalf of Dolphin Energy, which followed other contracts in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
Vikas Shangari has more than 14 years experience in business development and operations management and for the last eight years was Qatar Country Manager for engineering company Hydratight. His valuable knowledge of the Middle East hydrocarbons industries will underpin STATS Group’s drive to gain market share in this potentially lucrative region.
The Aberdeen-based company is in the process of establishing a business unit in Doha, Qatar, and a branch in the UAE.
STATS Group managing director, Pete Duguid , said: “ Our innovative approach to solving the complex isolation challenges faced by many oil and gas operators has been very well received in the Middle East and our recent contract with Dolphin Energy was a complete success.
“We know there is a lot of potential to grow our business in Qatar and other Gulf states but equally we know the importance of having our own people on the ground and being readily accessible to clients and responsive to their requirements.
“Vikas’ in-depth knowledge of Qatar and the wider region will provide us with that important link with the client on the ground and we are confident he can help us to fast track growth and firmly establish our presence in this important sector.”
STATS Group employs 120 people and plans to recruit an additional 20 staff in the next year, during which it expects turnover to grow by 25% from around £16 million (US$ 25m) to a forecast £20 million (US$ 31.5m).
Mr Shangari added: “ STATS has an excellent reputation of providing high integrity solutions and a long track record of safety and reliability and that gives us a competitive edge which marks us out from competitors.
“My role is to get our technology in front of key maintenance and inspection personnel and I am confident that once potential clients see what STATS can offer, that the business in the Middle East will move up to a new level. This is not a case of dipping a toe in the water but the start of a long-term commitment to have a permanent presence in the Gulf and I am looking forward to playing my part in growing the STATS brand internationally.”
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , November 18, 2011; Image: STATS Group